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Buhari Won’t Interfere In 9th National Assembly Leadership Tussle – Presidency
The presidency on Sunday said President Muhammadu Buhari
will not interfere in the bid by some lawmakers to challenge the zoning formula
of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the leadership positions of
the 9th National Assembly.
Already the APC has settled for the duo of Senator Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North) and
Femi Gbajabiamila (Surulere 1) as Senate President and Speaker of the House of
Representatives, respectively, for the 9th National Assembly.
However, the positions are being challenged by some lawmakers who described the
party’s position as imposition and an attempt to meddle in the leadership
selection process of the National Assembly.
In the Senate, Ali Ndume (Borno South) and Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) have
indicated interest to contest for the exalted position, though Goje is yet to
formally declare his ambition despite mounting pressure from his loyalists.
In the House of Reps, Idris Ahmed Wase (APC, Plateau), John Dyegh (APC, Benue),
Mohammed Umar Bago (APC, Niger) and Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (APC-Abia) are angling
to succeed Speaker Yakubu Dogara against the party’s directive.
In a bid to avoid the events of 2015 where the candidates adopted by the party
lost, many had thought President Buhari as the leader of the party will call
the gladiators together and speak with them on the need to respect the position
of the party.
However, speaking with Daily Independent on Sunday, Ita Enang, Senior Special
Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), said President Buhari will not
intervene in the matter as he has devolved powers to the party.
According to Enang, there is no cause for alarm over the leadership positions
in the 9th Assembly as the APC is handling the situation well while majority of
the lawmakers have promised to abide by the position of the party.
“The president is the leader of the party and the party is handling the
situation. The president does not have to speak on every matter. He devolves
power which he has done in this case.
“He does not give the power to the party because the power belongs to the
party, he is just the leader of the party. So, the party of which he is the
leader chaired by the national chairman is handling the situation and is on top
of it. The members themselves, both senators and Reps members are very serious
stakeholders at the highest level. So, we are relating with them and they have
given assurances that they will respect the party’s position”, he said.
However, speaking to our correspondent, a top source in the party said there
are attempts by some power brokers in the presidency to whittle the influence
of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, one of the national leaders of the party, who is being
speculated to be nursing the ambition of succeeding Buhari in 2023.
According to him, many people believe that after having his protégé, Yemi
Osinbajo as the vice president, it will be dangerous for Tinubu to also have
his loyalists as the number three and four man in the incoming political
dispensation.
“Yes, the party had settled for Lawan and Gbajabiamila but from feelers we are
getting, a lot of people in the presidency and APC are not really keen about
this. These people are the ones giving hidden support to the likes of Goje and
Ndume. They felt with Lawan and Gbajabiamila, Tinubu will be too influential
and they don’t want that.
“I believe the issue at stake goes beyond Tinubu or his presidential ambition,
if truly he has. 2023 is still far ahead. We need to deal with the present
situation which is to have a National Assembly which will be in synergy with
the executive arm of government in taking the country to the Next Level. We
have traveled this rough, thorny road before and we all came out bruised”, he
said.
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Laffmattazz: Lagos 3rd Coming Features Star-Studded Lineup with Dbanj Gandoki, Akpororo, Taooma, Seriki Dariya, others
We Must Build A Virile Legislature For The Future, Speaker Obasa Says
Speaker Mudashiru Obasa of the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Sunday, counselled members of the House to strengthen the legislative arm of government ahead of the future.
Dr. Obasa gave the advice in Abeokuta, Ogun State at the opening of a three-day budget retreat for lawmakers and staff of the House with the theme: ‘Optimising the legislature’s power of the Purse’ for effective service delivery in Lagos State’.
The Speaker challenged the lawmakers to be committed in their legislative duties as they must leave lasting legacies for the future, strengthen governance, responsibility and accountability.
He charged the lawmakers on improved and effective legislative oversight functions being one of the responsibilities of the legislature.
“What we do now is really not about us; it is for the totality of the system.
“I appreciate this budget retreat. Each one of us must be responsible in carrying out the assignments we are tasked with. This is very essential.
“We carry out budget scrutiny based on what is presented by the executive. Once we give a go-ahead, it means the executive must comply and treat it accordingly because it has become a law.
“Going forward, all the reports of each committee must be presented at the floor of the House. This will help us decide on how to act for the sake of transparency and accountability,” the Speaker said.
He advised the lawmakers against docility in the task of ensuring that Lagos continues to weather economic storms.
“We all have roles to play and, in doing that, sentiments and self-benefits must be removed. The day you start with self-benefit, you have become a failure.
“If you do your job the way you should do it, you will earn your respect and will be held in high esteem by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“We are here today again to look at how we can improve on the laws we make at the House of Assembly as well as our oversight functions.
‘Let’s continue to be dedicated and loyal and I am sure we will get there. Let’s always straighten the path for Lagosians and those coming behind us,” he urged.
In his opening remark, the Clerk and Head of Service of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, described the retreat as an avenue to have insights into the state’s budget.
While commending the Speaker, he urged the participants to “be attentive and take home fresh ideas and knowledge.”
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
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